09 Sep 2015

A beach soccer masterclass by Madjer

The Portuguese Maestro explains the secrets to be a top-class beach soccer player. From how to train and when to rest, to what to eat, the tricks on the sand...

Who could be better than Madjer explaining all what it takes to be a world-class player? The Portuguese hitman describes the key skills you need to be a beach soccer predator. And reveals a few secrets to his longevity in the game. He is the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup all-time top scorer, and as of this year, he has joined, with Portugal, the selective group of FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup champions… So this is some precious advice!

Training hard and smart

“Training five times a week all year round and doing it with enthusiasm, as if it were the first time. Training on the beach or in the gym. I normally do TRX suspension training, which is a core-stabilization exercise involving muscles, joints and ligaments. It is an excellent exercise for developing functional strength and coordination. I also do multi-jump exercises with weights. If someone is training with me, I include the ball in that training."

Two-footed play

"I'm left-footed, my left foot was always more dangerous. But six years ago I started intensively training my right foot. I realized it could help me when coming up against a defender in a one-on-one situation. I think talent has a psychological side: I convinced myself that I could play with both feet and I actually did. Defenders can no longer anticipate my moves as I escape both ways. Still, my right foot is weaker, it’s only has half of the skills of the other foot.”

Explosive power

"Although there aren’t many headed goals in beach soccer, vertical jump workouts are very important in beach soccer, as it also helps players in defensive tasks like clearing the ball. For jumping higher, I use a traction band attached to a pole in training sessions nearly every week. The positive effects are countless, from developing the explosive strength performance to jumping and shooting easily. Honestly, it is useful in every action on the sand.”

Overhead kick

"It takes courage and a strong back to land safely [laughs]. I have done it easily since childhood but of course I have practiced the technique to improve my moves. How? Performing it over and over in every training session. 10 balls thrown consecutively and I get up from the floor to do the bicycle kick. I repeat it 50 to 100 times. The quality of the kicks are just as important: coordination and keeping our eyes on the ball to hit it right. When we lose sight of the ball early like in golf, then it's hard to hit it the right way. Coordinating these steps is the key. "

Proper nutrition

"I try to drink five liters of water a day. On match days, I drink even more water and eat a low fat diet. I prefer a grilled-based diet with pasta and fruit. Nutrition plays an important role in recovery from injuries and helps athletes prevent injuries. "

Home-lover

"A secret to my longevity and maximum performance? I don’t like to go out often. I would rather stay at home with my family and invite friends over. "

Thanks, team!

"Being part of a strong competitive team helps me to stand out. I was very fortunate because I always played on strong teams with very talented colleagues who still help me create dangerous scoring chances and actually score goals."